Kenny Kirkland - Kenny Kirkland (1991)

Keyboardist Kenny Kirkland's long-overdue debut as a leader really stretches his talents and is occasionally unpredictable. Virtually each of the performances has its own personality and the personnel and instrumentation differ throughout the release. Among the highlights is "Mr. J.C." (which features some stormy Branford Marsalis tenor), an electric Latin but still boppish update of Bud Powell's "Celia" (taken as a duet with percussionist Don Alias), the struttin' "Steepian Faith," a driving rendition of Ornette Coleman's "When Will the Blues Leave" that has some free bop alto from Roderick Ward, and Latin versions (with percussionist Jerry Gonzalez) of two standards not normally thought of as belonging to that idiom: Wayne Shorter's "Ana Maria" and Thelonious Monk's "Criss Cross." This highly recommended CD has more than its share of brilliant moments. ~ by Scott Yanow, AMG. 

GRP Records, GRP 96572, 1991
Verve Records, 543 037-2, 1991
Recorded and Mixed At BMG Studios A & B, New York City 

Musicians:
Kenny Kirkland - Piano (#1,2,4,6-10), Keyboards (#5,11)
Branford Marsalis - Tenor Sax (#1,10), Soprano Sax (#2,4,9)
Roderick Ward - Alto Saxophone (#7)
Charnett Moffett - Bass (#1,4,7)
Christian McBride - Bass (#6)
Andy Gonzalez - Bass (#8,10)
Jeff "Tain" Watts - Drums (#1-4,6-8)
Steve Berrios - Drums (#8,10)
Jerry Gonzalez - Percussion, Congas (#8,10)
Don Alias - Percussion (#5,11), Bongos (#8) 

Tracks:
01. Mr. J.C. {Kenny Kirkland} (8:07)
02. Midnight Silence {Kenny Kirkland} (3:33)
03. El Rey {Jeff "Tain" Watts} (1:34)
04. Steepian Faith {Kenny Kirkland} (6:02)
05. Celia {Bud Powell} (6:49)
06. Chance {Kenny Kirkland} (6:01)
07. When Will The Blues Leave? {Ornette Coleman} (5:39)
08. Ana Maria {Wayne Shorter} (8:36)
09. Revelations {Kenny Kirkland} (7:48)
10. Criss Cross {Thelonious Monk} (5:19)
11. Blasphemy {Kenny Kirkland} (3:04) 

Total Time: 62:36

Credits:
Producer - Kenny Kirkland
Producer, Digital Editing - Delfeayo Marsalis
Recording, Mixing - Patrick "Jatty Q" Smith
Digital Editing - Michael Landy
Mastering - Ted Jensen
Graphic Design - Sonny Mediana
Liner Notes - Branford Marsalis